exactly this ^ - it's good that you posted as it's "straight from the horses mouth". Not knocking the PSA test as such, as it is still some sort of indication at least, but hopefully will help others understand that it's not a definitive test for Cancer.
False positives happen with the PSA test, but that should not stop men from having one. By false positive, I mean that you can have a high PSA level but not be suffering with prostatic cancer. If the test is +ve, it simply means that further investigation is needed to rule out prostatic cancer. I believe this is the reason that NHS doctors are not overly keen to provide them freely, as the further investigation of +ve results is quite expensive, sadly
I have a doctors surgery who is not very cooperative when someone asks for a PSA test, but quite frankly that doesn’t work with me, I explained I lost my father early on prostate cancer and his twin brother too, I insisted on being tested and filed a complaint with his practice manager, my PSA was not all that high, not high enough to have an automatic MRI, however a reminder about my family history and about my earlier official complaint made sure that an appointment was made with a urologist, he had no second thoughts at all and referred me straight for MRI, MRI came back as not ok, then biopsy , 18 samples taken, 1 for retest, result all negative, now put on 6 monthly PSA tests for now , my cousin , only a few years older was less lucky , now goes through live without prostate and Bladder and is lucky to be alive Don’t take no for an answer, tell your GP where to go if they say no…….
This is an extract from my latest PSA test showing the trigger levels for further investigation As you can see the trigger points for concern are high and age dependant. It has also been mentioned that prostate cancer is not the only cause of a high PSA level, intimacy with your partner and cycling can also push the levels up. My last test gave a reading of 0.4 which you might think is fine looking at the trigger points above, but the fact that it has moved from zero has made my oncologist move me on to 3 monthly testing. As I’ve said before it’s the trend of how the readings are moving that is really important, not a one off high reading that may be the result of something else. Having said that, a single high reading should trigger further monitoring.
You forgot to mention the colour of your skin. As for possibly being a drain on the NHS are you going to think of your own state of health and effect on your family or are you going to put the state of the NHS first?
Apologies if I did not quote your post, thought I had. As for disagreement I wasn’t aware that we didn’t hold the same opinions as you say “the result of the most widely used test removes nearly all doubt.” but then go on to say “when in a regular testing program, the results from PSA testing can be interpreted to produce a far more meaningful outcome.” All of which I totally agree with and have attempted to explain in my previous posts. Obviously, not very successfully.
Prostate Cancer UK have a webinar coming up on the 3rd of March at 18:00 hours that will be of interest to many of our members, particularly those have been diagnosed +ve.
I did realise that you had reference both prostate and colon tests together. Both mammogram and colon tests are cyclic, being triennial and biennial with upper age thresholds of 70 and 74 respectively. However you can choose to continue past the upper age thresholds if you wish for both. Being cyclic both will draw on resources far more than a one off PSA test to determine whether further cyclic testing would be beneficial. Rather like the one off test for signs of aortic aneurysms automatically given to men over 65. As for waiting for symptoms to trigger a concern, forget it because you may not get any, I didn’t, or you may dismiss them, because their onset is so gradual that you just put them down to a result of advancing age. If they can give a one off test for aortic aneurysms which result in 3,000 male deaths per year why can’t they give a one off PSA test for prostate cancer that kills 12,000 of us every year? Both of these tests are not definitive diagnoses but will currently give a best indication of whether further cyclic testing would be recommended.
"If they can give a one off test for aortic aneurysms which result in 3,000 male deaths per year why can’t they give a one off PSA test for prostate cancer that kills 12,000 of us every year?" Answer:- because a PSA test is not definitive but an aortic measurement is - there is no comparison between the two. I've had mine and i didn't even ask for one, but the test was seen as an investment. as said, will agree to disagree - but i agree with the NHS current thinking re: PSA "roll out".
a mammogram related quote is not in the above reply - and even in the correct quote, i never said it was "definitive". Just saying.
No, but it is not a definitive test for breast cancer, yet it is rolled out nationwide by the NHS. On that basis, why is it that some people find it extremely difficult to get a PSA test on the NHS ?
I thought about quoting statistics of both tests to show percentages of false positives and false negatives but thought better of it, as has happened many times before on this Forum before, only to be overuled and/or disputed. Let's just say (i think) an overall average of surveys producing statistics will show that a mammagram test has a greater chance of revealing cancer more accurately than a PSA test. I believe if they were equal then the NHS would be encouraging people to get a PSA test.
On that note, until such times as a more definitive test becomes available for prostate cancer, blokes wanting to have a PSA test on the NHS should not be met with resistance.
partly agree, but it currently ought to be as a result of other symptoms presenting also (imo and the NHS' opinion), but i sense you will disagree and that's the best place to leave it - if you trust someone who works for the NHS then the quickest way is to talk to them for a full explanation, i am only a messenger here.
A response to the most recent posts. I didn’t know that a mammogram was not a definitive test for breast cancer, most interesting. The difficulty that some guys have in getting a PSA test done would appear to be entirely due to their GP’s reluctance and should be vigorously challenged. The NHS guidelines state “Men aged 50 or over can ask their GP for a PSA test, even if they do not have symptoms.” I therefore pose the question, does the cost of this test come out of the GP’s budget? Of the various tests mentioned recently, Aortic Aneurysm, Mammogram, Bowel cancer and PSA, I strongly suspect that the one off cost for a PSA test would be the lowest of these four which makes it even more of a puzzle as to why it is not done. And finally Prostate Cancer UK has just submitted a letter to the Minister of State for Health with circa 15,000 signatures on asking for changes to the NHS guidelines on Prostate Cancer.
yes, of course anyone can ask for a PSA test, and they should most definitely ask for any procedures available if they have the slightest concerns, nobody has ever said contrary to that on here as far as i know.
I don’t think anyone on here has ever suggested that they shouldn’t ask. The issue has always been the GPs trying to persuade the patient that it’s not necessary or outright refusal to agree to granting one.
